Aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system

Abstract

An aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system for high-efficiency collection of particulate debris generated in a machining area during machining of a workpiece, especially post-cure machining of a composite workpiece, that includes a vacuum subsystem for generating a localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area and a particulate charging, electric field generating subsystem integrated in combination with the workpiece and the vacuum subsystem for charging particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece and for creating an electric field that directs the charged particulate debris into the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field. The vacuum subsystem includes a vacuum pump, a hose fluidically interconnected to the vacuum pump, and a nozzle fluidically connected to the hose distal the vacuum pump and having a configuration that defines the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field. The particulate charging, electric field generating subsystem includes a high voltage power supply, a first conductive lead electrically interconnecting the high voltage power supply and the workpiece, a collection electrode physically integrated in combination with the nozzle, and a second conductive lead electrically interconnecting the high voltage power supply and the collection electrode. The oppositely charged workpiece and collection electrode in combination produce a corona discharge in the machining area that causes the particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece to be charged. Further, the oppositely charged workpiece and collection electrode in combination create the electric field that is collinear with the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system for high-efficiency collection of particulate debris generated in a machining area during machining of a workpiece, comprising: a vacuum subsystem including means for generating a localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area during operation of said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system; and   particulate charging, electric field generating means integrated in combination with the workpiece and said vacuum subsystem for charging the particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece and for creating an electric field between the workpiece and said aerodynamic fluid flow field generating means that directs the charged particulate debris into the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field during operation of said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system;   the electric field created between the workpiece and said aerodynamic fluid flow field generating means being collinear with the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field created by said aerodynamic fluid flow field generating means wherein collection of particulate debris from the machining area is enhanced by said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system.   
     
     
       2. The aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system of claim 1 wherein said vacuum subsystem comprises: a vacuum pump;   a hose fluidically connected to said vacuum pump; and   a nozzle fluidically connected to said hose distal said vacuum pump, said nozzle defining said aerodynamic fluid flow field generating means of said vacuum subsystem;   said nozzle being positioned with respect to the workpiece and having a configuration to develop the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area.   
     
     
       3. The aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system of claim 2 wherein said vacuum subsystem further includes a filtration device integrated in combination with said vacuum subsystem and operative to remove the particulate debris entrained in the aerodynamic fluid flow field. 
     
     
       4. The aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system of claim 1 wherein said particulate charging, electric field generating means comprises: a high voltage power supply;   a first conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and the workpiece;   a collection electrode physically integrated in combination with said aerodynamic fluid flow field generating means of said vacuum subsystem; and   a second conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and said collection electrode;   the oppositely charged workpiece and said collection electrode in combination producing a corona discharge in the machining area that causes the particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece to become charged;   the oppositely charged workpiece and said collection electrode in combination creating the electric field that is collinear with the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field.   
     
     
       5. The aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system of claim 4 further comprising a current interrupter device that is operative to momentarily de-energize said collection electrode during operation of said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system. 
     
     
       6. The aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system of claim 1 wherein said vacuum subsystem comprises a vacuum pump,   a hose fluidically connected to said vacuum pump, and   a nozzle fluidically connected to said hose distal said vacuum pump, said nozzle defining said aerodynamic fluid flow field generating means of said vacuum subsystem,   said nozzle being positioned with respect to the workpiece and having a configuration to develop the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the machining area; and wherein said particulate charging, electric field generating means comprises a high voltage power supply,   a first conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and the workpiece,   collection electrode physically integrated in combination with said nozzle of said vacuum subsystem, and   a second conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and said collection electrode;   the oppositely charged workpiece and said collection electrode in combination producing a corona discharge in the machining area that causes the particulate debris generated during machining of the workpiece to become charged;   the oppositely charged workpiece and said collection electrode in combination creating the electric field that is collinear with the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field.     
     
     
       7. The aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system of claim 6 wherein said nozzle comprises: a nozzle body having a cylindrical configuration that defines an internal channel, said nozzle body including an apertured attachment flange for mounting said nozzle in combination with a machine tool and an extension member for fluidically interconnecting said nozzle body to said hose; and   a plate having a central aperture and first and second duct apertures mounted in rotatable combination with said nozzle body, said plate including a pair of ducts in fluid communication with said first and second duct apertures and extending downwardly from into the machining area adjacent the workpiece;   said collection electrode being formed as conductive plating bonded to walls that define said pair of ducts.   
     
     
       8. An aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system for high-efficiency collection of particulate debris generated in a machining area during machining of a composite workpiece, comprising: a vacuum subsystem that includes a vacuum pump,   a hose fluidically connected to said vacuum pump, and   a nozzle fluidically connected to said hose distal said vacuum pump and operative to generate a localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field in the     machining area during operation of said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate   collection system; and   a particulate charging, electric field generating means integrated in combination with the composite workpiece and said vacuum subsystem for charging the particulate debris generated during machining of the composite workpiece and for creating an electric field between the composite workpiece and said nozzle that directs the charged particulate debris into the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid during operation of said aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system, said particulate charging, electric field generating means including a high voltage power supply,   a first conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and the composite workpiece,   a collection electrode physically integrated in combination with said nozzle of said vacuum subsystem, and   a second conductive lead electrically interconnecting said high voltage power supply and said collection electrode;     the oppositely charged composite workpiece and said collection electrode in combination producing a corona discharge in the machining area the particulate debris generated during machining of the composite workpiece to become charged;   the electric field created between the composite workpiece and said collection electrode integrated in combination with said nozzle being collinear with the localized, vacuum-induced aerodynamic fluid flow field.   
     
     
       9. The aerodynamic-electrostatic particulate collection system of claim 8 wherein said nozzle comprises: a nozzle body having a cylindrical configuration that defines an internal channel, said nozzle body including an apertured attachment flange for mounting said nozzle in combination with a machine tool and an extension member for fluidically interconnecting said nozzle body to said hose; and   a plate having a central aperture and first and second duct apertures mounted in rotatable combination with said nozzle body, said plate including a pair of ducts in fluid communication with said first and second duct apertures and extending downwardly from into the machining area adjacent the composite workpiece;   said collection electrode being formed as conductive plating bonded to walls that define said pair of ducts.